The next morning felt like a daze. Link packed his few possessions away into his knapsack and adorned comfortable clothing for the journey. He watched as Paya packed away her things in a small leather bag. Two extra changes of clothes. Her diary. Some basics, like a hairbrush and the like, and that was all.

"Is that it?" he had asked her curiously. For whatever reason, he has expected the Sheikah girl to bring much more. It would have been an inconvenience to have to lug around multiple bags, but not one he would've complained about. Surely someone who had spent the entirety of their life in one place would have more… things?

"Yes, Master Link," she replied, equally curious. "Why? Do you think I might be missing something?" She began rummaging through her bag, checking for what might've been forgotten.

He shook his head. "No, not that I know of. It's just… Maybe…" What was it that young women did to keep themselves busy? He certainly didn't want her to get bored while he was off running errands. "...Like… Knitting supplies, maybe?" He proposed. He recalled vaguely the art of knitting. He wondered briefly from where or from whom.

A sort of smile graced Paya's face. She couldn't help but laugh. "I think I'll do quite fine without knitting needles, Master Link. I'm not so old!" she returned her things to her pack and tied it shut. It pleased him to see her smile; it pleased him more to see her speak in a more casual manner with him, even if she was still going about calling him Master Link.

"Oh, alright," he replied rather awkwardly, still not sure what compelled him to suggest knitting. Did his mother knit? Such a jump was certainly unprompted, entirely constructed by the young knight, but it was a pleasant thought to think. He tried to imagine some blonde Hylian woman knitting in a humble little home… Had their home been humble? His father had been a member of the King's Guard, he had learned that, but what did that mean for the rest of the family? Link admittedly knew very little about the ins and outs of castle life. Of knighthood, even. Especially ironic, he thought, considering his supposed mastery of the profession.

The two spoke no more as they finished packing away their things.

Impa was surprisingly relaxed regarding the whole thing. Link had expected quite a bit more dramatics, akin to when she was first reunited with Zelda. But she had merely smiled, bowed her head, and said, "Good luck on your journey, Master Link. May Hylia watch over you. Are you quite sure you don't want the letter the princess left for you?"

"No," Link had replied cooly. Anything Zelda wanted to say, she could've said to him.

"...Right then. Might I have a moment alone with my granddaughter?" She request, switching her intense gaze over to Paya.

Link bowed his head and stepped outside.

It was a pleasant day in Kakariko Village. Perfect for travel. Light winds, a slight overcast, and even the Cuccos had seemingly learned to shut up for the time being. Link took a moment to close his eyes… letting the delicate breeze brush through his hair and across his neck… before quickly opening them. He needed to stand alert.

It took a few minutes for Paya to come bounding out of the door with far more enthusiasm than Link had expected. A great smile graced her face, and her eyes grew wider as she looked out over the village.

"Oh, I'm so excited, Master Link!" she admitted in a rush of speech. "Nervous, sure, but mostly excited! Where will we go first? Oh, this is a dream; I've always wanted to leave the village, you know!" she made her descent down the stairs, where Link quickly followed behind. She was being… he didn't know what word to use for it. But it brought him great joy to watch the young Sheikah girl ramble on about their journey.

"...We can fetch the horses, and-" started Link.

"To the east! I know where they're being kept, Master Link, there's-" she paused abruptly, a horrified look crossing over her face. "I- I interrupted you!" she physically tensed, all color draining from her face.

Link blinked.

"Please forgive me, Master Link! I was just- just rather excited is all! I truly didn't mean to interrupt you! Oh, how rude!"

Link shook his head, now equally as horrified as Paya. "It's quite fine, Paya, really. I didn't even notice," he replied quickly. Paya didn't seem to calm, and so he continued. "Um, I wanted you to finish the sentence, you know? I was wondering if you knew!"

Paya made a face, but slowly nodded. "Oh… okay," she replied hesitantly.

"And it's really just… Please don't apologize, Paya." The sense of panic slowly fizzled as the Sheikah girl nodded.

"Okay, okay. Sorry!" she paused. "Sorry for apologizing- you know, I'll stop. Let us get your horses. They're named… Dahlia? and um… I'm not quite sure about the other…"

"Violet," replied Link, as the pair neared the eastern end of town where the horses were boarded. He was surprised she knew of Dahlia. Perhaps the horses, too, were famous in Kakariko Village. What a funny proposition. Might they start calling them ridiculous titles too? Violet the Great...

Link smiled to himself as he approached the horses, thinking of all the mighty titles that might be bestowed upon them. He slung himself up onto Dahlia, and it wasn't until he had completely situated himself when he noticed Paya. She stood, quite tense, with her hands up defensively in between herself and the small, timid horse. She looked positively terrified. Link frowned.

"...Are you… alright?" he asked hesitantly, looking between Paya and the mare.

"She's quite big, isn't she!" Paya squeaked, peering between her fingers at Violet. "...How am I supposed to… you know, get on her? She's taller than me!"

It took a bit of resistance for Link to stifle the amused smile that threatened to cross his face. He dismounted his horse and crossed over to her with an air of determination. "She can tell you're scared of her," he stated, looking into the eyes of the horse. "You've got to be confident. Approach her slowly and try and pet her."

Despite retaining a great amount of hesitance, Paya crept towards the horse slowly as directed. She held up her hand ever so slowly and dragged it across the side of Violet's face. The horse, ever frightly, whined and took a step back.

"She hates me," Paya replied, defeated. "I'm sorry, Master Link. I've never been this close to a horse in my life."

Link shook his head. "It's fine, you know-" he paused. "Stay here, won't you? I'm going to go get something that might make this easier."

Paya stayed put as the young knight bound off back into town. He approached the apple tree he had once fetched apples from to summon a Korok Seed in front of Impa's home. He gathered a handful before jogging back up towards the stable.

"Try feeding her one of these," he urged, pressing one of the apples into the Sheikah's hand. Paya's eyes widened. She didn't look particularly enthralled by the idea of coming so close to the horse's mouth, but ever still, she did as requested and held the apple up towards Violet's mouth.

Violet looked at the apple curiously. Her nervous nature weaned then, and she took the apple into her mouth in one great bite. Paya flinched but didn't move her hand. In a matter of seconds, the horse had finished the apple and looked about eagerly for another. Link smiled, before handing another apple over to Paya.

"She's quite hungry, isn't she?" Paya commented as Violet snatched the apple from her hand.

Link snorted. "Not hungry, just greedy" It felt nice to joke about, he thought. When was the last time he made a joke aloud? It felt nice.

Paya laughed at the comment and shook her head. "Oh, don't say that, Master Link! She's just a baby is all," she seemed suddenly enamored by the horse who took a bite out of the third apple she offered.

"A baby?" Link mused. Her attitude had changed entirely. Once the third apple was finished, he crouched besides the horse, cupping his hands together. "Here, step up," he offered, motioning with his head towards the horse.

Paya look quite embarrassed, but moved over towards him, stepped on his hands, and once boosted, straddled herself onto the horse.

Explaining the basics of horseriding came naturally to Link. In a matter of mere minutes, the pair were riding back through the village. Paya, although still rather hesitant, gripped onto the reigns and rode well. Link couldn't have been more pleased with her quick progress. She'd make a good academic, he thought. She learned quickly.

"Where are we going to go first, Master Link?" she asked as they passed through the Northernmost exit of Kakariko Village. The Sheikah standing guard bowed his head in reverence at Link, but said nothing.

"...Zora's Domain, I think," he replied, though uncertainty was evident in his voice. "I have a half dozen things to do there. I checked this morning… And it isn't too far."

"Zora's Domains," Paya repeated, intrigued. "I've heard only of it, but never seen it… Well, obviously. I already told you I haven't left the village. I'm sorry!"

Link frowned. "No, it's fine, Paya, really… but yes, it's a nice city. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I think we might stay for a few days there. You can accompany me all you'd like, or explore the city, or both, really. Whatever you'd like." He wanted to distract her from her apologies and worries. It was a full time job to do so.

Paya nodded. "That sounds just wonderful," she replied quietly. She scrunched her nose. "Is it true that the people are…?"

"Fishy," Link finished with a snort. "Yes. They're Zora, not Hylian or Sheikah. They're quite bizarre to see for the first time."

"I'll try not to stare!" she vowed. Link smiled.

The ride was slow and peaceful, accompanied by the calls of birds that flew above. Link couldn't help but relax as they moved on. It was atypical that he let down his guard, but the sway of the breeze persuaded him to peace… Letting his mind bound out of control. He thought of the same things that had plagued him for the last week and a half: of Zelda, of his destiny, of who he really was. In truth, Link knew that fixating on things like that, things he couldn't really fix was pointless, but his mind wandered ever still…

"...Hey, Paya, I have a question-" he begun, after nearly two hours of silence. "...Do you know where the family of a member of the King's Guard might live?" A silly question, but one that kept crawling back into his head.

Paya frowned. "...No, Link, I'm sorry," she replied, her eyes tracing him over, seemingly trying to decipher what had triggered such a question.

Link pursed his lips. "...Nevermind, then. It isn't important." He reserved himself to silence. The breeze brushed through his hair, and Link tried desperately to forget about the King's Guard. About his mother. About himself.